The Sword Decides
Restored Classics to Go EditionBy Marjorie Bowen
Length10h 56m
About this audiobook
"The Sword Decides: A Chronicle of a Queen in the Dark Ages" by Marjorie Bowen is a riveting historical novel that immerses readers in the treacherous world of 14th-century Naples. At its heart is Giovanna of Naples, a queen who must navigate the intricate web of court intrigue, love, and betrayal to secure her position in a male-dominated society. The novel explores themes of ambition, resilience, and leadership as Giovanna confronts both personal and political enemies. Parallel to Giovanna's struggle is the story of Andreas of Hungary, who arrives in Naples to claim his rightful throne amidst the somber backdrop of a dying king. Despite his disdain for Italy and yearning for his homeland, Andreas is resolute in his ambition, unfazed by ominous warnings from Hippolyta, a peasant girl who foresees the dangers he will face. As the bells toll and the scent of orange blossoms fills the air, Andreas prepares for a dramatic confrontation with the court and his destiny, setting the stage for power struggles and personal conflicts. The narrative is further enriched by the tension-filled relationship between Ludovic of Hungary and Giovanna. Accused of her husband's murder, Giovanna passionately defends her innocence to Ludovic, who seeks vengeance for his brother Andreas's death but is torn by doubts about her guilt. Their complex interactions explore themes of justice, tyranny, and the pursuit of truth, culminating in a fragile agreement that could either restore honor or lead to further treachery. Through vivid storytelling and emotional depth, Bowen offers a captivating exploration of power, desire, and the consequences of ambition, inviting readers into a world where the sword indeed decides fate. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.8 (18)
Includes Goodreads
GenreHistorical Fiction, Literary Classics
Length10 hrs 56 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateFeb 1, 2026
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1CHAPTER ONE. THE LETTER
2CHAPTER TWO. HIPPOLYTA’S AMULET
3CHAPTER THREE. THE ENTRY INTO NAPLES
4CHAPTER FOUR. GIOVANNA
5CHAPTER FIVE. THE CONTE RAYMOND
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6CHAPTER SIX. MARIA
7CHAPTER SEVEN. THE QUEEN MOVES
8CHAPTER EIGHT. THE KING MOVES
9CHAPTER NINE. THE CONVENT OF SANTO-PIETRO-A-MAJELLO
10CHAPTER TEN. THE NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER THE THIRTEENTH
11CHAPTER ELEVEN. THE AUBURN CURL
12CHAPTER TWELVE. THE LAST MASQUERADE
13CHAPTER THIRTEEN. THE THUNDERBOLT
14CHAPTER FOURTEEN. THE EXECUTIONS IN THE PALAZZO SAN ELIGIO
15CHAPTER FIFTEEN. THE QUEEN’S LAST STAKE
16CHAPTER SIXTEEN. LUDOVIC THE TRIUMPHANT
17CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. THE CONTE RAYMOND PAYS
18CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. THE KING’S AVENGER
19CHAPTER NINETEEN. THE QUEEN WINS
20CHAPTER TWENTY. SANCIA DI RENATO
21CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. THE QUEEN’S LOVER
22CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. THE CASKET
23CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. THE TRUTH
24CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. FLIGHT
25CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE. CAROLA OF BOHEMIA
26CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX. THE ECLIPSE
27CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN. KONRAD OF GOTTIF’S WIFE
28CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT. THE QUEEN’S SECOND HUSBAND
29CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE. THE BATTLE IN THE STREETS
30CHAPTER THIRTY. THE CHAMBER OF THE SCARLET TAPESTRY
31CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE. THE SWORD DECIDES!
32TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
33The Countess Fanny: A Cornish Sea Piece (1856)
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